Despite all political tension, we are optimistic about future

1 november 2016
| Russia 1

Has the West heard the “Valdai” message of Vladimir Putin? What can be done if the elites cannot and the people do not want to live in the old way? And why there are so many strategists, and no strategy? These and other questions were discussed by Leonid Grigoriev, Chief Advisor to the Head of the Analytical Center, and other experts at Vladimir Soloviev’s Sunday Night TV show on Russia-1.

Leonid GrigoryevChief Adviser to Head of the Analytical Center

"The first embargo was introduced against Russia back in
1481, under Ivan III, when Poland and Sweden banned their exports of metals to
Russia, while we had no silver, copper, or lead deposits at that time,” Mr.
Grigoriev said.

The expert called the Valdai Discussion Club "an interesting
place" and a "great oceanarium of political scientists” that attracts
outstanding political experts from around the world. "They are all interesting
people to measure evolution with. In 2014, when the world faced this crisis,
experts who came to Valdai were all gloomy, as if at a funeral, and they all
would tell us: why defy the entire world? Last year, everything was just as
bad, but this year things are good and calm, and businesslike,” Mr. Grigoriev
said. “Analysts said that we need to support science, produce all we need
within the country, and stop importing things.” Despite all the political
tensions, we are optimistic about our future. There is place for optimism even
in such hard times, he emphasized.

Mr. Grigoriev reminded that in his speech at the Valdai
Club’s meeting, the Russian President reiterated some important points: first,
we do not need conflicts, and, second, the West should admit that they have
failed in Syria, and that now they have to handle this issue together with
Russia. "Will we communicate this message to the public? Has this been
reflected by global media? It is clear that the political community has seized
the idea, but Western media have not, and this is a major issue. The situation
with the information war is such that we need to get through that curtain of
Western media and talk to the world," said Grigoriev.